Reach for the stars: Active South Dublin Sports Awards 2024 launched

IT WAS only fitting that Irish Olympian and history-making world championship medallist Ellen Walshe and Peamount United player Louise Masterson helped launch the Active South Dublin Sports Awards 2024 this week.

Running in association with South Dublin County Council, The Plaza Hotel and The Echo, the awards have recognised for the past 15 years amateur sport stars and teams in the county throughout the year at local, national and international levels.

Last year, Templeogue Swimming Club member Ellen enjoyed a superb year becoming the first Irish swimmer to secure an Olympic qualification time for Paris this summer.

Ellen was consistent in her times throughout the year and in just over six months’ time she will be representing her country in the greatest games in the world.

Louise Masterson played a key role with Peamount in their Premier League success and now the Newcastle Club can look forward to Champions League Football this summer.

Running for the past 15 years, The Active South Dublin Sports Awards recognises the achievements of all sports in the county on and off the pitch with Club of the Year, Club Development of the Year, Team of the Year and Manager of the Year also recognised.

Speaking at the launch this week, Thos McDermott, Head of the Active South Dublin unit said: “Active South Dublin sees the Sports Awards as a perfect fit for what it is seeking to achieve – getting all the community of South Dublin Co. active.

At The Active South Dublin Sport Awards launch were William O’Connor, News Editor, The Echo, Marcus Blake, Front Of House Manager, The Plaza Hotel, Emma Kennedy, MD The Echo, Mayor Alan Edge, Thos McDermott, Head of Active South Dublin Unit, Colm Ward, Chief Executive Officer, SDCC and Peamount player Louise Masterson and Olympian swimmer Ellen Walsh

“The awards are a reflection of the great efforts and talents of our local people in the field of sport, achieving success at local, national and international levels.

“They have helped to highlight the participation of women in sport and the importance of volunteers and strengthened the link between the local authority and the clubs we serve.

“We are looking forward to another great year of highlights in 2024”.

Also speaking at the launch, Emma Kennedy, MD, The Echo said: It’s an honour for us to be in a position to report on all of our local sports stars and teams, it gives us an opportunity to highlight to the rest of our community their achievements and dedication.

“And the annual Sports star awards is an additional platform for us to celebrate them.

“We are delighted that Active South Dublin have become the title sponsor of the awards, further cementing our collaborative work on highlighting our local sporting community.

“And with the further sponsorship from The Plaza Hotel and South Dublin County Council it makes it possible to hold the annual Sport Star Awards.

“Collectively we all want to celebrate and support our community.

I’d like to thank Declan and his team at the Plaza for a wonderful night on January 25 last and we look forward to another fantastic awards night in January 2025”.

Declan Bowe, Cluster General Manager, The Plaza Hotel & Tallaght Cross Hotel said: “The Plaza Hotel are delighted to continue our support and sponsorship of Active South Dublin Sports Star Awards in conjunction with The Echo for the second year running.

These awards recognise our sporting elite and community leaders in Tallaght and beyond.

“The team at The Plaza Hotel take great pride in helping to promote and recognise these stars from a wide variety of sports endeavours.

“As we meet the individual and teams each month, we always enjoy the variety of sports that are acknowledged, whether it is ladies rugby, taekwondo, rallycross, or our local Olympian Swimmer such as Ellen Walshe.

“The Sports Star Awards have been running for many years, and been a staple in the sporting calendar in the area, culminating in an Annual Gala Dinner held in The Plaza Hotel banqueting suite.

“This years awards were a fun-filled evening with the great and good of sporting heroes and winners.

“The community support and drive for these sporting outlets are at the core of the many success stories, and help lead the way for not only sporting journeys, but also in many individuals personal journeys as only sports can do.

“The General Manager at The Plaza Hotel, Declan Bowe notes as saying, “… If our hotel can play a small part in supporting and continuing the long standing success of these sports awards, we are delighted to continue the association and sponsorship and see all of these rising stars fly the flag for South County Dublin for many years to come”.

Visit the Active South Dublin website for more info HERE.